'We all delight to tread the ground you walk on.'
'You have grown very polite during your absence.'
'What other result could have been, when I spent my time thinking of the lovely Giulia.'
'I am afraid you had other thoughts in Naples: they say that there the women are all beautiful.'
'Naples! My dear lady, I swear that during all the time I have been away I have never seen a face to compare with yours.'
Her eyes quite shone with pleasure. I turned away, finding the conversation silly. I thought I would do without the pleasant looks of Madonna Giulia, and I decided not to come to her again. Meanwhile, I began talking to one of the other ladies in the room and passed the time agreeably enough.... In a little while Giulia passed me, leaning on the arm of one of her admirers. I saw her glance at me, but I took no notice. Immediately afterwards she came again, hesitating a moment, as if she wished to say something, but passed on without speaking. I thought she was piqued at my inattention to her, and, with a smile, redoubled my attentions to the lady with whom I was talking.
'Messer Filippo!' Donna Giulia called me, 'if you are not too engaged, will you speak to me for one moment?'
I approached her smiling.
'I am anxious to hear of your quarrel with Ercole Piacentini. I have heard quite ten different stories.'
'I am surprised that the insolence of an ill-bred fellow should rouse such interest.'